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Christ’s Object Lessons
As Jesus spoke this parable, the mustard plant could be seen far and
near, lifting itself above the grass and grain, and waving its branches
lightly in the air. Birds flitted from twig to twig, and sang amid the
leafy foliage. Yet the seed from which sprang this giant plant was
among the least of all seeds. At first it sent up a tender shoot, but it was
of strong vitality, and grew and flourished until it reached its present
great size. So the kingdom of Christ in its beginning seemed humble
and insignificant. Compared with earthly kingdoms it appeared to be
the least of all. By the rulers of this world Christ’s claim to be a king
was ridiculed. Yet in the mighty truths committed to His followers the
kingdom of the gospel possessed a divine life. And how rapid was its
growth, how widespread its influence! When Christ spoke this parable,
there were only a few Galilean peasants to represent the new kingdom.
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Their poverty, the fewness of their numbers, were urged over and over
again as a reason why men should not connect themselves with these
simple-minded fishermen who followed Jesus. But the mustard seed
was to grow and spread forth its branches throughout the world. When
the earthly kingdoms whose glory then filled the hearts of men should
perish, the kingdom of Christ would remain, a mighty and far-reaching
power.
So the work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning. A word
is spoken, a ray of light is shed into the soul, an influence is exerted
that is the beginning of the new life; and who can measure its results?
Not only is the growth of Christ’s kingdom illustrated by the para-
ble of the mustard seed, but in every stage of its growth the experience
represented in the parable is repeated. For His church in every gen-
eration God has a special truth and a special work. The truth that is
hid from the worldly wise and prudent is revealed to the child-like
and humble. It calls for self-sacrifice. It has battles to fight and vic-
tories to win. At the outset its advocates are few. By the great men
of the world and by a world-conforming church, they are opposed
and despised. See John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, standing
alone to rebuke the pride and formalism of the Jewish nation. See the
first bearers of the gospel into Europe. How obscure, how hopeless,
seemed the mission of Paul and Silas, the two tentmakers, as they
with their companions took ship at Troas for Philippi. See “Paul the
aged,” in chains, preaching Christ in the stronghold of the Caesars.
See the little communities of slaves and peasants in conflict with the